Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has urged Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to refrain from intervening in the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation leveled against her husband.
The conflict between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio began when she declined to sit in an assigned seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Tensions escalated when she appeared on *Arise News* on Friday, accusing Akpabio of obstructing her motions, defaming her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja, dismissing the accusations against her husband.
She maintained that both families had enjoyed a long-standing cordial relationship, even before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s marriage, and described the claims as unfounded.
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, and addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan advised her to stay out of the matter.
Titled *”Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,”* the letter emphasized that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be allowed to defend himself.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she had endured persistent harassment from Akpabio but was now compelled to speak out.
The letter partly read:
> “Our Client does not wish to draw you into the unfortunate controversy surrounding her allegations against the Senate President and urges you to refrain from engaging in the matter. While she has tolerated repeated harassment from the Senate President, she has now been left with no choice but to expose the distress and victimization she has faced in the Senate under his leadership.
> “Therefore, we emphasize that our client’s allegations are directed solely at the Senate President, and she firmly believes he is fully capable of defending himself against these claims.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan asserted that she possessed sufficient evidence to support her claims and urged Mrs. Akpabio to allow her husband to respond to the allegations for the sake of her peace of mind and that of her family.
> “Our client has substantial evidence to validate her claims. We advise that you allow the Senate President to handle his defense to safeguard your well-being and that of your family.
> “As an advocate for Nigerian women and a family woman, our client remains committed to upholding shared family values and preserving our common heritage.”
